San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) has received state approval from the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) to launch a new Vocational Nurse Training Program, expanding tuition-free pathways for students seeking careers in healthcare.
The first cohort of 20 students is scheduled to begin August 23, 2027, with classes taking place at SDCCE’s Harbor View Campus in Barrio Logan. Applications for the first cohort will be available in January 2027.
“The state’s approval of SDCCE’s new vocational nursing certificate program represents an important milestone for our college and for the students and families we serve,” said SDCCE President Tina M. King, Ed.D. “Our students come to us ready to transform their lives through education. This program will create another pathway for them to gain the education, hands-on training and experience they need to enter the healthcare workforce and build careers that provide greater economic mobility.”
SDCCE currently offers tuition-free healthcare careers certificates in nursing assistant, home health aide, acute care nursing assistant, rehabilitative nursing assistant, behavioral health aide, health unit coordinator, ophthalmic assistant, optical technician, and personal care assistant/caregiver. Through Credit by Exam agreements, eligible students can also earn college credit for approved coursework and continue their education toward a degree at San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College or San Diego Miramar College.
The new vocational nurse training program will consist of four 18-week semesters and 1,530 hours of instruction, including 576 hours of theory and 954 hours of clinical training.
“Launching this program allows us to build on SDCCE’s strong foundation in healthcare career education and respond to the growing need for skilled nurses in our community,” said Catherine Shafer, Dean of Healthcare Careers. “Our students will receive comprehensive classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training that prepares them to take the next step toward licensure and meaningful careers in healthcare. We are excited to welcome our first cohort and provide students with a tuition-free pathway to a career that can make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families.”
Although there is no cost to enroll, students can face financial barriers that make it difficult to complete their education. SDCCE provides eligible students with campus resources that can help cover essential educational expenses, including classroom materials, scrubs, lab equipment, books, exam fees and transportation.
The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $64,400 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 51,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035.
Students who successfully complete the program will fulfill the educational component required to qualify for the vocational nurse licensure examination. After becoming licensed, graduates can pursue careers as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in hospitals, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, doctors’ offices, home health agencies and other healthcare settings.
The state approval confirms that SDCCE’s Vocational Nurse Training Program meets requirements established under the Vocational Nursing Practice Act and California Code of Regulations. The college received full approval for a four-year period.
SDCCE’s first vocational nursing cohort is scheduled to graduate May 31, 2029. Additional information about enrollment and the application process will be available later this fall.
